Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer:
GIFT
What is gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT)?
GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure which involves removing a
woman’s eggs, mixing them with sperm and immediately placing them into a
fallopian tube. One of the main differences between this procedure and the
in vitro fertilization (IVF) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) procedures
is that the fertilization process takes place inside the fallopian tube rather
than in a laboratory. However, healthy tubes are necessary for GIFT to work.
How is GIFT performed?
GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure that involves the following:
A woman’s ovaries are stimulated with medications to increase the
probability of producing multiple eggs.
Eggs are collected through an aspiration procedure.
The best quality eggs are immediately mixed with mobile sperm and
placed in a special catheter.
The mixture of eggs and sperm are transferred to the woman through a
laparoscopic procedure by placing a catheter in the fallopian tube and
injecting the egg/sperm mixture.
The last step is to watch for early pregnancy symptoms. Your fertility
specialist will probably use a blood test to determine if pregnancy has
occurred.
Who should be treated with GIFT?
GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure that is a possible solution for any
infertility problem except the following:
Tubal blockage
Significant tubal damage
An anatomic problem with the uterus, such as severe intrauterine
adhesions.
In general, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is preferable for couples with male factor
infertility.
GIFT is commonly chosen by couples who have failed to conceive after
trying at least one year and who have failed five to six cycles of ovarian
stimulation with intrauterine insemination.
What are the differences between GIFT and in vitro fertilization
(IVF)?
GIFT tends to be favored by women who have tried getting pregnant
through other means but have not been successful, whereas IVF is
preferable for women with more severe infertility concerns.
Since GIFT does not involve embryo culture, patients are able to
pursue additional fertility treatments without having to address ethical
concerns related to the creation or transfer of embryos.
IVF provides the physician with the opportunity to select the best
quality embryos on day 3 or day 5 for transfer. In contrast, GIFT places
unfertilized eggs and sperm in the tubes.
In the GIFT procedure, the transfer of gametes into the tube requires
an extra surgical procedure called laparoscopy.